On her way home, Annabelle kept thinking about the chat she had with Myrna. Was she okay? Definitely not.
How could she possibly be? Losing her father was the worst thing that could ever happen to her. She lost a piece of her that day.
What else could she possibly go through? What else could be more brutal than that?
She could have told Myrna all these things, but she was never good at opening up to people. She had tried couple of times, but she couldn't just do it.
"Annabelle, Walt up" She heard from behind her. That voice sounded familiar, so she stopped walking and waited.
"Hey" Annabelle greeted, as Laurel the store owner's daughter reached her.
"Hey Annabelle. How are you?" Laurel asked, trying to get more than three words out of Annabelle's mouth.
Laurel had been one of Annabelle's close friend, back when she was little. They'd always read together, but after the incident they lost all contacts.
When Laurel heard of Annabelle's return to town, she was ecstatic. She was until she was not.
"Anna You're back. I thought Arnold was lying when he told me, you were back to Malcony." Laurel squealed, hugging Annabelle.
"Yes I am back." Annabelle gave her a small smile, after they broke from their hug.
"Good. Come on, I'll show you mother's new store. She renovated." Laurel gushed, reaching out her hand to drag Annabelle with her.
"Not now Laurel. I'm busy with nana" she refused
"Ohhh then later?" Laurel suggested with a smile replacing the wide grin that was on her face.
"Uhh sure. Bye" Annabelle hurriedly shut the door, leaving Laurel there with a confused expression. She was surprised, because Annabelle was formally a shy but friendly person.
The new Annabelle did all she could to avoid contact with other people, including her. Annabelle did go to Laurel's mother's store, but not with Laurel.
She went alone, after her nana complained about the lack of groceries in the house. Laurel has ever since then, been trying to get in good terms with Annabelle.
"I'm very well Laurel. Is there something you want to tell me?" Annabelle asked. She didn't mean to come off as rude, but she really needed to get home to nana as it was almost dinner time.
"Uhh yes. Actually, mother said to tell you to come get your grandmother's ginger tea as it is now available." Laurel said dejectedly, she hoped their conversation could go past this.
"Ohh alright. I'll go and get it. Thank you" Annabelle said with a small smile, as she walked away from Laurel.
If she waited any longer, Laurel would try to go with her. And she didn't want that to happen.
Annabelle has a reason for doing all these. She has a reason for keeping to herself, and not getting attached to any body.
The vampires only reside two cities away from Malcony. They dwell in Murine, a city not far away from Malcony.
The vampires only come to Malcony, when they need something important, or when an offender resides here.
Annabelle has read lots of books about the origin of vampires, and Murine. She read about the coven leader, Lord Shane.
She read about how merciless and brutal he is. She didn't want to get attached with anyone, only for them to be taken or killed like her parents were.
She didn't want to feel the pain of losing someone close to her again. So she did the only thing she could think of, she stayed away from everyone.
"Hi Mrs Oliver." Annabelle greeted, as she entered the only store in Malcony. Malcony is a very small city. There's a saying that goes; 'IN MALCONY, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE' and it is true.
"Ahh Annabelle, how are you fairing child?" Mrs Oliver asked, with a smile. Anytime Annabelle sees Mrs Oliver, she remembers Laurel and how she's a spitting image of her mother.
"I am very well Mrs Oliver, you?" Annabelle gave a small smile, as she rested on the counter. "I am also good. How's Isabelle?" Mrs Oliver asked.
"She's fine. Laurel said her green tea is now available." Annabelle said
"Ahh Yes. I'll get it for you now." Mrs Oliver beamed. "Can I get a jar of pickles too?" Annabelle asked.
"Of course. Give me a minute." Mrs Oliver said, walking off and into the main store to get the goods.
She came back a minute later, with her grandmother's tea,a jar of pickles, and a tiny box.
She put the three items into a shopping bag.
"Here. The box contains lavender scented candles. I got two for Isabelle and I. Give it to her will you?" She explained, handing the bag to Annabelle and collecting the money for the team and pickles from her.
"Thank you Mrs Oliver. I'll tell her. Have a nice night" she said, adjusting her skirt. "You too child." Came Mrs Oliver's reply, as Annabelle walked out of the store.
Mrs Oliver had always been good friends of the family. She was closer to her father of course, as no one could stand her mother's attitude.
Maneuvering her way through the street that leads to her house, Annabelle kept thinking about how good life would have been if her dad was still alive.
They'd go to get books together, he would have taught her about science and how it works. She would have had a normal life.
"Anna is that you?" Nana called from inside the house as Annabelle entered and shut the door.
"Yes nana" she replied, prepping herself for nana's scolding.
"Come here now, Annabelle." Nana ordered.
Annabelle let out a groan, as she walked to the living room area where she knew her grandmother was seated.
"Hi nana" Annabelle greeted with a sheepish smile. "Don't Hi me young lady. Where were you? You know how dangerous it is out there at night" nana started
"I was at the library___"
"It's high time you stopped going to the library. It's not safe." Her nana scolded her, cutting her off.
"I got your green tea nana. I left the library an hour ago, I went to Mrs Oliver's store." Annabelle explained.
"Ohhh, she did?" Nana asked
"Yes, here. She gave me a box of lavender scented candles too." Annabelle handed the bag to her.
"Ahhh Luna is always so kind." Nana smiles, as she opened the box of candles and took a sniff.
"Pass me the pickles nana, I'll make dinner now" Annabelle said, collecting the jar and retreating to the kitchen.
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